Buffalo’s 9-Game Gamble: Will This Rookie Force His Way onto the Roster

Buffalo’s 9-Game Gamble: Will This Rookie Force His Way onto the Roster

welcome back hockey fans today we’re diving into one of the most intriguing prospects from the 2024 NHL draft cona helenas if you want to learn more about this Finnish Phenom and his potential impact on the Buffalo Sabers make sure to hit that like button and subscribe for more in-depth hockey content all right let’s get into it the Buffalo Sabers selected constant helenius with the 14th overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft and they wasted no time signing him to a three-year entry-level contract but who exactly is const to helenius and is he ready for the big leagues we’re going to break down his background skills and potential impact on the Sabers organization born on May 11th 2006 in yulo yarvi Finland helenius has been turning heads in Europe hockey circles for years standing at 5’11 and weighing in at a solid 190 lbs he’s not the biggest player on the eyes but don’t let that fool you this kid’s got skills that make him play much bigger than his size suggests let’s start by tracing helenius Journey to the n sh draft he’s been a consistent producer at every level he’s played showing a steady progression that’s caught the eye of Scouts worldwide in the 2020 to 21 season playing for tapata U6 helenius racked up an outstanding 57 points in just 22 games that’s nearly 2.6 points per game an incredible rate for a player at any level but helenius wasn’t content to rest on his lurs The Following Season he stepped up to the u8 league and continued his dominant play with 45 points points and 33 contests but it was the 22 to 23 season where helenius really started Turning Heads at just 16 years old he split time between Tara’s u20 team and alone to ucad in the Liga finland’s top professional League this is where things get really interesting most 16-year-olds are still playing Junior Hockey but helenius was already competing against grown men in a professional league in his first taste of pro hockey he put up a respectable 11 points in 33 games now 11 points might not sound like much but consider this he was often the youngest player on the ice by several years facing off against season professionals the fact that he couldn’t only keep up but contribute offensively speaks volumes about his skill level and hockey IQ last season helenas took his game to another level he scored 14 goals and added 22 assists for 36 points in 51 games to put that into perspective that’s the fourth highest single season total by an under 18 player in Liga history the only players ahead of him current NHL stars Alexander barov mikale grund and Capo kako that’s some pretty Elite company but helenius his impact goes beyond just numbers he was a key player for yukite averaging over 16 minutes of ice time per game he was trusted in all situations including on the power play where he scored five goals perhaps most impressively he won over 50% of his faceoffs a crucial skill for a young Center by the way if you’re enjoying this this breakdown of constant helenus so far don’t forget to give the video a thumbs up and hit the Subscribe button now let’s talk about what makes helenus such an intriguing Prospect Scouts Rave about his hockey IQ and his ability to read the game he’s been described as a complete hockey player and a coach’s dream due to his reliability in all situations helenius is primarily known for his playmaking abilities he has an excellent Vision on the ice and can thread passes through tight spaces his ability to anticipate where his teammates will be deliver the puck accurately is well beyond his ears this isn’t just about making fancy passes it’s about making the right play at the right time something helenus excels at his skating is another standout feature while he may not be the fastest player in a straight line his Edge workk and Agility are topnotch he can change directions on a dime leaving defenders in his wake this agility makes him incredibly elusive in tight spaces allowing him to create separation and open up passing Lanes offensively helenia isn’t just a one- trick pony while his passing is his primary weapon he’s shown the ability to finish plays as well his 14 goals in the Liga last season demonstrate that he can put the puck in the net when given the opportunity he’s particularly effective on the power play where his vision and shot can both be weapons defensively helenius has no slouch either he’s responsible in his own end and has shown a willingness to engage physically despite his size his two-way game has drawn comparisons to players like Braden point of the Tampa Bay Lightning High Praise indeed one of the most impressive aspects of helenius his game is his competitiveness he’s not afraid to go into the corners or battle along the boards with bigger players this tenacity combined with his skill makes him a handful for opponents to deal with but the million-dollar question remains is constant helenius ready for the NHL this is where things get interesting the Sabers have a decision to make and there are compelling arguments on both sides on the one hand helenus has already Prov proven he can compete against men in a professional League his production in the league as a teenager is genuinely impressive the sabes who have missed the playoffs for 13 straight Seasons could use an injection of skill and hoaky IQ in their lineup helenius is ability to play both Center and Wing gives the Sabers flexibility in the modern NHL versatility is key and a player who can slot in at multiple positions is incredibly valuable his defensive responsibility could make him a valuable asset even if his off doesn’t immediately translate to the NHL level Plus getting him acclimated to North American ice sooner rather than later could accelerate his development there’s also the psychological factor to consider helenius has shown that he can excel at every level he’s played bringing him to the NHL could be a vote of confidence in his abilities and potentially accelerate his development however there are also reasons why the Sabers might choose to be patient with their prized Prospect despite his success in Finland the jump to the NHL is significant the game is faster the players are stronger and The Rinks are smaller some additional seasoning either in Europe or in the AHL with the Rochester Americans could benefit helenius in the long run there’s also the question of physical maturity helenius has shown that he can handle himself against other men but the NHL is a different Beast the league is full of players who are not only skilled but also physically imposing giving him another year to build strength and adapt to the more physical North American style could set him up for greater success when he does make the jump and another factor to consider is the saber’s current roster situation they have a young core that’s starting to come together with players like Tage Thompson rasm Doan and Owen power leading the way where exactly does helenius fit into this picture would he be better served playing Topline minutes in a lower league or playing a reduced role in the NHL the sabes have options they could bring helenus to training camp see how he performs and make a decision from there they have a n game window at the start of the Season where they can play him without burning a year off his entry-level contract this will certainly give them more valuable insight into his NHL Readiness if helenius does make the Sabers out of Camp what impact could he have best case scenario he provides an immediate boost to the team’s skill level and helps Drive play in a positive direction his vision and playmaking could help unlock some of Buffalo’s other young talents imagine him setting up Thompson for one-timers or finding Dylan cousins with a pass in the slot helenius could also potentially help the Sab power play his ability to quarterback play from the halfway could add a new dimension to their man Advantage unit and don’t forget about his Faceoff prowess winning draws is crucial in today’s NHL and helenius is shown that he can do that consistently however there’s also the risk that he’s not quite ready and struggling at the NHL level could hurt his confidence and development the history of the NHL is littered with cautionary tales of players who were rushed to the big leagues before they were ready the Sabers will need to weigh these factors carefully it’s also worth considering the long-term picture the Sabres have been rebuilding for what seems like an eternity while fans are understandably eager to see the team return to the playoffs rushing a top prospect might not be the best move for the franchise’s long-term success helenius is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing prospects to come out of the 2024 NHL draft his combination of skill hockey IQ and two-way play make him metalizing option for the Sabers whether he makes the NHL roster this season or spends more time developing helenius looks poised to be a significant part of Buffalo’s future his playmaking ability defensive awareness and competitive Drive could make him a Cornerstone player for the sabes for years to come if he does make the team I’d expect him to start in a sheltered role perhaps on the third line with some power play time from there he could work his way up the lineup as he adjusts to the NHL game if he’s sent back to Finland or to the AHL it’s not a setback it’s an opportunity for for him to dominate and build confidence before making the leap to the NHL but one thing’s for sure Sabres should be excited about the potential he represents hope for a franchise that’s been stuck in a rebuilding phase for far too long whether it’s this year or next constant helenius is likely a name you’re going to be hearing a lot about in NHL circles but what do you think should the Sabres bring helenus to the NHL right away or give him more time to develop and how do you see him fitting into the Sab lineup in the future let me know in the comments section down below if you like this video you got to check out this video about Cole Eiserman the Draft Day Disaster that made one team rich or check out this video about Ivon demidov that’s all for today don’t forget to like And subscribe and hit that notification Bell so you never miss another video like this until next time keep your sticks on the ice and I’ll see you in the next one

Welcome to our latest video where we dive into the promising career of Konsta Helenius, the 14th overall draft pick. Having recently signed his entry-level contract, the spotlight is on this young talent. Join us as we explore his journey, skills, and the burning question: Will he secure a spot on the team as an 18-year-old? Don’t miss out on the latest updates and insights on one of hockey’s rising stars!
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